Pulling for Shore 1886

William Merritt Chase made this oil on canvas called 'Pulling for Shore'. Painted in the late 19th century, the lone rower in this painting perhaps reminds us of the growing interest in leisure and the outdoors, a development that was tied to the rise of the middle class and changing work patterns. Think about how access to such leisure activities might have been shaped by social class. Chase was not just an artist but also a teacher. He played a significant role in shaping the art scene in the United States and was a key figure in the Art Students League of New York. His work reflects an academic training but he also engaged with more progressive movements such as Impressionism. To understand Chase's position in American art, we might consult exhibition catalogues, letters, and critical reviews from the period. These sources can provide a fuller picture of the artist's context and the role of art within it.